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My Dog, Ed.

Last week my dog Ed who had been with my family for 15 years passed away.

Back in 2002 I got home from work when to my surprise I nearly tripped over a young Kelpie cross puppy sliding across the floor of our family room. My younger daughter, Natalie saw my apprehension towards having a dog and said, “Don’t worry Dad we are only trialing the dog for the next three days and if it doesn’t work out he can always go back to the farm.”

Well the whole weekend I experienced family pressure convincing me to keep the dog and for further incentive I could even name him. So, I called him, Ed after my favourite television show at the time. However, that alone did not mean he would stay and I was still holding out because in my mind it was only a matter of time before Ed returned to the farm.

Then it happened just as I had tired of his barking, complaining neighbours, ripped mattresses and messes all over the floor and the something happened. What I had failed to see in all my negativity was how wonderfully, Ed had bonded with my wife and children. In particular my son, Simon with special needs who he would always follow around the backyard like he was looking out for him. Unbeknown to me my wife Anne Marie entered the “Sunday Mail Dog of the Year Competition”, due to that unique relationship between Simon and Ed. Sure, enough the day I was going to say Ed needs to go I got a phone call at work. It was Anne Marie saying Ed had won the competition now there was no way that Ed could leave seeing he was a celebrity with his photo with my son on the front page of the Sunday Mail.

Well the next 15 years went by rather quickly and last week Ed suddenly passed away. For all my grumbling I am going to miss the wagging of his tail when I came home, his ability to demand a pat whenever family and friends were nearby, his constant faithfulness and companionship, the long walks along the beach where I told all my problems but most of all I will miss his unconditional love that distracted me from the issues of everyday life.